Cartooning for Peace is taking part in the ‘Asia under influence, Asia in resistance’ day organised by ACAT, Doh Atu, Info Birmanie, Solidarité Chine, the Théâtre de la ville de Paris and Viet Tan, with 4 round tables and 1 show, on 30 November in Paris.
Popular with tourists, Asia is a continent whose social realities and the lives of its inhabitants remain little known. Beyond the postcard images, Asia is a continent in resistance. Between uprising and resilience, standing up to authoritarianism, its peoples are demonstrating their desire for freedom, respect for human rights and democracy. It is this diversity of peoples fighting for their rights that is presented on this day.
This event is a unique opportunity to highlight the crucial issues surrounding press freedom in Asia and, more generally, the defence of human rights, which are often little known to the French public. Cartooning for Peace’s participation in the Day is testimony to its ongoing commitment to this continent, as demonstrated by the ‘PakDem!’ ( Philippines) and ‘Cartooning for Myanmar’ projects.
ROUND TABLE ‘Beyond the ban, informing under censorship’
In authoritarian regimes such as China, Vietnam and Burma, independent journalists and bloggers face considerable obstacles when they try to inform the public. A whole range of tools, both legal and illegal, are used to censor any information that deviates from the official government line. Journalists who dare to criticise the government are charged with ‘subversion’ and risk long prison sentences. In Vietnam, the authorities use vague national security laws to arrest bloggers and activists.
Kak, President of Cartooning for Peace, takes part in the round-table discussion ‘Beyond the ban, informing under censorship’ from 2 to 3:25 pm, alongside Thibaut Bruttin, Director General of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Michel Tran Duc, Director of Advocacy at Viet Tan, and Maryse Artiguelong, member of the National Committee of the LDH and Vice-President of the FIDH.
The round table will be moderated by Pénélope Faulkner, President of the Vietnam Committee on Human Rights.
Jérémy André, reporter for Le Point, will also give his account of the muzzling of press freedom in Hong Kong and Burma.
Discover the full programme (in French) for the ‘Asia under influence, Asia in resistance’ day.
